MBA - 1.83 to 2.13 is it worth it?

[eliten]

My greatly loved 4-year old Macbook Pro has retired itself, and because I need a new mac straight away I won't be able to wait for the new Macbook Pro update in Q1-2011. For that simple reason I'm looking to buy a nice new Macbook Air.

My needs are quite simple, I use my mac for school, surfing the web, and iTunes - preferably, all these things at the same time!
I'll also need to use bootcamp, but I don't see how that should be a problem.
Because I plan on keeping this MBA for 3-4years I'm willing to pay extra for good performance in the long run.

I just can't decide whether to go for the 1.86 or the 2.13 - Is the 0,27ghz difference worth the money for me ?

Also, I can't decide whether to upgrade the RAM to 4gb - how much more power would this give me ?

I'm quite indifferent between 128 & 256gb of space.

I hope some of you guys have experience with the next MBA to help me out!

Christian J
Denmark

 

[alust2013]

4GB RAM is definitely a good idea if you're going to be multitasking. The processor really shouldn't make a ton of difference, but if you want it to last a while, it wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

[Hellhammer]

Get the RAM but don't get the CPU. Your tasks are not CPU intensive so a better CPU won't help you.

How much data do you have? If you're not sure, then it's always safer to go for the bigger one as the SSD isn't easily switchable. Assuming you can afford it of course

 

[hcho3]

If you are keeping for 3-4 years, then I would go for ultimate version.

However, I personally took 1.86Ghz with 4GB ram.

Extra Ram gives you better performance while you multi-task.

Extra processor speed won't help you much in daily use such as itunes, web surfing and etc. It will help you in 3D games and intensive applications like Final Cut pro.

 

[eliten]

thanks

Thanks for such quick responses!

I won't be editing movies, music or pictures on it and I have a console for 3D games, so I'll go with the 1,86 but definitely with the 4gb ram - thanks guys.

My current Macbook Pro has 100gb hd, and at the moment I can't even have all of my pictures on it, so I would really like having the 256gb SSD. Because I live in Denmark it's an extra $380!
Is it possible to upgrade the SSD at a later time in the MBA ? If not, I'll probably have to bay the $380

Thank you for such great responses so far!

 

[Hellhammer]

Is it possible to upgrade the SSD at a later time in the MBA ?

Yes. It's just held by one screw. The hardest part is to find compatible SSDs since there are no "blade SSDs" that are widely available. Yet.

 

[KPOM]

I have the 2.13GHz with 4GB. I think you'd be fine with the 1.86GHz model. The 2.13GHz model I have handles Boot Camp and Parallels 6 just fine with Windows 7 64-bit. Note that Boot Camp in the new MacBook Airs works only with Windows 7 (either 32-bit or 64-bit).

Also note that since you need one right away, your choices may be limited to what's on hand in stores. Most stores have the 4GB 2.13GHz model, but not the 4GB 1.86GHz. The store might just have 2GB configurations of the other models. I'd highly recommend 4GB if you are coming from a Pro. Also note that shipping times for the CTO models from Apple have increased. The 4GB 1.86GHz model ships in "2-4 days" while the 2.13GHz model ships in "3-5 days".

 

[eliten]

this settles it!

Yes. It's just held by one screw. The hardest part is to find compatible SSDs since there are no "blade SSDs" that are widely available. Yet.

Okay, thanks. I'll have to pay the extra $380.
Now I'm suddenly tempted to upgrade the CPU since it's just $100 more... must stop now...

Thanks guys.
256gb SSD, 4gb RAM & 1.86ghz it is!

 

[hcho3]

Okay, thanks. I'll have to pay the extra $380.
Now I'm suddenly tempted to upgrade the CPU since it's just $100 more... must stop now...

Thanks guys.
256gb SSD, 4gb RAM & 1.86ghz it is!

I am not trying to tempt you by all means, but there is gotta be a way to buy it cheaper. Don't always have to buy from apple product from apple. Don't believe everything you see and hear. Yes, it is 300-400 dollars here to go from 128GB to 256GB as well. There is always student/work discount you can take advantage of. Look hard and you will find it cheaper.

 

[eliten]

I am not trying to tempt you by all means, but there is gotta be a way to buy it cheaper. Don't always have to buy from apple product from apple. Don't believe everything you see and hear. Yes, it is 300-400 dollars here to go from 128GB to 256GB as well. There is always student/work discount you can take advantage of. Look hard and you will find it cheaper.

The thing is we've got 2-year warranty in Denmark, so I'd really like to purchase it from a danish Mac retailer if not apple.dk. But the VA Tax is 25% in Denmark!
Apple.dk is the place where I can get the biggest student discout (6%) other retailers (humac,eplehuset) only gives 3-4%.

But I'll definitely try to see if I can get a competitive price from a retailer, so thanks!

 

[DiamondGCoupe]

Not worth it for the 2.13. You will notice a huge improvement in speed over your last MacBook with the SSD. But for $100, why not?

 

[eliten]

Macbook Pro 13 vs MBA 13

In this price range it's also interesting to look at the 13" MBP with 128 SSD.

13" MBP, 2,4ghz-4gb RAM- 128gb SSD

This must be faster than any MBA, or is the MBA built to optimize the SSD?

 

[Vantage Point]

In this price range it's also interesting to look at the 13" MBP with 128 SSD.

13" MBP, 2,4ghz-4gb RAM- 128gb SSD

This must be faster than any MBA, or is the MBA built to optimize the SSD?

I'd go with the base 13" MBP and see how it goes. As prices drop you can replace the hard drive with an SSD and use the HDD as your backup. Remember, the MBA does not have backlit keys and that alone can be a tie breaker if you work in low light

 

[nizmoz]

Yes. It's just held by one screw. The hardest part is to find compatible SSDs since there are no "blade SSDs" that are widely available. Yet.

Actually they are available.

http://www.gizmag.com/toshiba-blade-ssd-available-to-all/16872/

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/photofast-offers-ssd-upgrade-for-macbook-air/10185

 

[pjfan]

I had time to spare, so I was able to order the MBA 13" 1.86 w/ 4GB RAM and 128 SSD. I absolutely don't need the storage space, but really wanted the upgraded processor, but due to the delta between the two, I couldn't justify the total cost difference. The $100 for 2.1 GHz, I would not have hesitated to purchase.

If my scenario was that my system was down and I needed the solution ASAP - I would buy the 13" Ultimate Edition (2.1 GHz, 4GB Ram, 256 GB SSD) from an authorized Apple B&M Reseller.

Good luck

 

[alust2013]

In this price range it's also interesting to look at the 13" MBP with 128 SSD.

13" MBP, 2,4ghz-4gb RAM- 128gb SSD

This must be faster than any MBA, or is the MBA built to optimize the SSD?

That would definitely be a good model to consider, although I would buy the SSD aftermarket because Apple's SSDs aren't the greatest.

 

[abuleban]

Max it all out

It's worth it, imho; 4 gig RAM, 2.13 & why not the 256? With it all soldered down, might as well get as much bag for the buck

 

[i7QuadCoreMania]

no, not worth it, but I just got it and the 4gb ram just to have the ultimate macbook air.

 

[cherry su]

Slightly unrelated, but Anandtech benchmarked the 11" MacBook Air with the upgraded processor and found a ~15% increase in performance for a 6% decrease in battery life. Maybe they'll run a similar test for the 13" units with the upgraded processor.

 

[Mac Composer]

It's worth it if you're planning on keeping this computer for a while, say 3 years. If you're going to upgrade in a year/year and a half, go with the 1.83.

 

[aberrero]

no, no, no

Just get the base model, its fine.

 

[i7QuadCoreMania]

Actually they are available.

http://www.gizmag.com/toshiba-blade-ssd-available-to-all/16872/

http://www.zdnet.com/blog/hardware/photofast-offers-ssd-upgrade-for-macbook-air/10185

yes, but I don't see a price or when its gonna be available yet.

I would sell off my 256gb stock SSD from my 13" Ultimate for a Photofast one if the difference is noticeable lol.

 

[aberrero]

yes, but I don't see a price or when its gonna be available yet.

I would sell off my 256gb stock SSD from my 13" Ultimate for a Photofast one if the difference is noticeable lol.

I think it is a bad idea until we see benchmarks. Apple did some magic with their SSDs, the MBA performs faster than other macs do with theoretically faster drives.

 

[i7QuadCoreMania]

I think it is a bad idea until we see benchmarks. Apple did some magic with their SSDs, the MBA performs faster than other macs do with theoretically faster drives.

not a apples to apples comparison no pun intended, but my 27" i7 iMac with a 160gb intel X25-M still boots faster than my new MBA 13" ultimate.

what I am mainly interested in is, I've read that the Photofast SSDs use the Sandforce controllers, as you prob know they are currently the fastest.

 

[aberrero]

Yes, and if im not mistaken, a MBP with either an intel or a sandforce takes longer to boot than the MBA. I remember seeing that in a review, but I've read so many reviews by now that I can't remember which one